Wyandanch, Grand Sachem of Montaukett

An early genealogy of the Van Tassel family advanced the theory Wyandanch was the father of Catoneras, the Indian wife of Cornelis van Tassel. The theory is impossible on chronological grounds.

Wyandanch (Wyandice, Wyandance), born about 1620, probably near Eaton's Neck, Long Island, died 1659, was a Montauk Indian sachem, His name translates as "wise speaker". He was the most distinguished of the Montauk sachems who had authority over a confederacy of thirteen distinct tribes on what is now Long Island, New York.

Before the arrival of the Europeans the Montauks (or Montauketts, the seventeenth-century spelling revived by tribal members in the 1990s) located their villages along the banks of freshwater streams and tidal bays in the coastal areas on the southern fork of eastern Long Island in what is now the state of New York.

Wynandanch was friendly to the white settlers. Following the English destruction of the Pequot villages in Connecticut in 1637, he negotiated an alliance with the victors and encouraged the English to establish settlements on eastern Long Island. The English support enabled Wyandanch to become one of the most influential sachems on Long Island. By 1700, however, the English had taken possession of the Montauks' lands, leaving the Indians with only residence rights to a small area near the present-day village of Montauk.

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Wyandance was chief and Grand Sachem of the thirteen tribes of Long Island. He figured as a great leader of his people against their enemies, while remaining a friend to white settlers. He sold land to both the Dutch and the English during the establishment of New Amsterdam and later New York. The thirteen tribes of Long Island were as follows: the Montauks, Manhassets, Shinnecocks, Corchaugs, Unkechaugs, Setauketts, Secktaugs, Nissaquogues, ,Merricokes, Marsapeagues, Matinecocks, Rockaways, and Canarsies. All were of the great Algonquin stock. >>>>>>>Each tribe had a Sachem or chief. Those of the four eastern tribes were brothers. The Over-lordship of these brothers and all the other tribes was given to Wyandance the Sachem of the Montauks, the most fierce of all the other tribes of Long Island. Wyandance the most noted of the Grand Sachems by the white race, did not hold that position at the first coming of the whites. He succeeded to it on the death of his brother Poggatacut, sachem of the Manhansetts in 1652. >>>>>>>Wyandance and the Montauks lived east of the South Hampton and East Hampton boundary line, the Shinnecocks, lived on the land westward from the Montauks to West Hampton. >>>>>>>Wyandance died in 1659. His alliance with the whites gave his people independence from his enemies on the main land, during his life time. but in the long run destroyed them through disease and being disinherited by the whites from their lands. By the year 1900, their language and culture had nearly been completely destroyed. >>>>>>>Cantoneras, the daughter of Wyandance,and his wife married Cornelius Jensen VAN TEXEL abt.1624. Cantoneras claimed the ownership of that portion of Long Island, situated along the North Shore, or sound, abt. Eatons" Neck in Suffolk County. She died shorly after her father in 1659 or 1660.

VAN TASSEL FAMILY Cornelius Jensen VAN TEXEL b. abt. 1600, Isle of Texel, North Holland; prob. arrived New Netherlands abt. 1624; lived Long Island; married Cantoneras (dau. of Wyandance); child: 1. Jan Cornelius VAN TEXEL b. 1625 d. 1704; md. Annetje (dau. of Albert and Grietje (STEVENKONIN)) ALBERTS. He was selected to represent the Long Island Indians before Commissioners appointed to settle the wars between the Pequots, Narragansetts and other tribes.

Catoneras, the dau. of Wyandance (the Sachem or Chief) of the tribe - claimed the ownership of that portion of Long Island, situated along the North Shore, or sound, abt. Eatons' Neck in Suffolk Co.; her father d. in 1659 and she shortly thereafter.

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That Cockenoe took an active part in marking the bounds of the tract of land between Huntington and Setauket, now comprised in the town of Smithtown, presented to Lion Gardiner by Wyandanch on July 14, i659, 45 as a token of love and esteem in ransoming his captive daughter and friends from the Narragan setts, 45 Book of Deeds, vol. ii. pp. 118-19, Office of the Secretary of State, Albany. The original is now in the possession of the Long Island Historical Society :

"Bee it knowne unto all men, both English and Indians, especially the inhabitants of Long Island : that I Wyandance Sachame, of Pamanack, with my wife and son Wiancombone, my only sonn and heire, haveinge delyberately considered how this twenty-foure years wee have bene not only acquainted with Lion : Gardiner, but from time to time have reseived much kindness of him and from him, not onely by counsell and advise in our prosperitie, but in our great extremytie, when wee were almost swallowed upp of our enemies, then wee say he apeared to us not onely as a friend, but as a father, in giveinge us his monie and goods, wherby wee defended ourselves, and ransomd my daughter and friends, and wee say and know that by his meanes we had great comfort Cockenoe-de-Long Island. 39 is worthy of note, for it is evident that the Sachem had no one else so capable. In confirmation of this surmise and my belief that he had a prominent part in all the land transactions of Wyandanch, my friend William S. Pelletreau, who is preparing the early records of the town of Smithtown for publication, has lately found recorded, in a dispute over the lands of Smithtown, a deposition taken down by John Mulford of East Hampton, dated October 18, 1667, which reads: " Pauquatoun, formerly Chiefe Councellor to the Old Sachem Wyandance testifieth that the Old Sachem Wyandance appointed Sakkatakka and and reliefe from the most honarable of the English nation heare about us ; soe that seinge wee yet live, and both of us beinge now ould, and not that wee at any time have given him any thinge to gratifie his fatherly love, care and charge, we haveinge nothing left that is worth his acceptance but a small tract of land which we desire him to Accept of for himselfe, his heires, executors and assignes forever ; now that it may bee knowne how and where that land lieth on Long Island, we say it lieth betwene Huntington and Seatacut, the westerne bounds being Cowharbor, easterly Arhata-a-munt, and southerly crosse the Island to the end of the great hollow or valley, or more, then half through the Island southerly, and that this gift is our free act and deede, doth appeare by our hand martcs under writ." Wayandance's mark represents an Indian and a white shaking hands.

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Birth: 1571 Montauk Suffolk County New York, USA Death: 1659 Montauk Suffolk County New York, USA

Under the government of Wyandanch,if not previously,this tribe acquired by their martial virtues andthe skill of their chieftain,a powerful ascendency over the other tribes of the Island,who by tribute,deference,or otherwise,acknowledged their superiority.At this time they appear to have been numerous."In the year 1658 Wyandanch,sachem of Montaukett,Plaintiff,prosecuted Jeremy Daily,Defendant,for an injury done to his"great cannow."The case was tried by the"three men,and the Jury in the cause rendered a verdict of ten shillings as damages for the plaintiff.(history of east Hampton,New York,p-54)WYANDANK'S DEED TO LION GARDINER,OF SMITHTOWN. East Hampton,july 14,1659 Bee it Knowne unto all men,both English and Indians especially the Inhabitants of Long Island that I Wyandance Sachem of Pamanack,with my wife and sonn Wiankanbonem,my only sonn and heir,havinge delyberately considered how this twentie-four years wee have bene not only acquaited with Lion Gardiner,but from time to time have recived much kindnes of him and from him,not onely by counsell and advice in our prosperitie,but in our great extremytie,when wee were almost swallowed upp of our enemies,then wee say he apeared to us not only as a friend,but as a father,in givinge us his monie and goods, whereby wee defended ourselves,and ransomed my daughter and friends, and weesay and know that by his manes we had great comfort and reliefe from the most honorable of the English nation here about us: soe that seigne wee yet live,and both of us being now ould,and not that wee at any time have given him anythige to gratifie his fatherly love,care and charge,we havinge noting left that is worth his acceptance but asmall tract of land which wee desire him to Accept of for himself,his heirs,executors and assignes forever,now that it may be knowne how and where that land beinge Cowharbor,easterly Arhata a munt,and southerly ercrosse the Island to the end of the great hollow or valley,or more than helf through the Island southerly;and that this gaft is our free act and deede:sealed and delivered in the presence of Witnes:Richard Smith,Thomas Chatfield,Thomas Tallmmage,Wayandance his(88)mark,Wiankombone his(M)mark,The Sachems Wife her(Swq)mark The original deed is in the possession of the Long Island Historical Society,Brooklyn,NY.see Woods history,L.I.p-198 The children are 1).Weincombone(b.1598-d.1663) 2).Catoneras(b.1603-m.Cornelius Jensen van Texel 1624 NY.)3).Also Wyandanch & Wuch-I-kit-tau-but had a daughter Quashawam she married the Pequot Sachem Mau-gau-wan-met see Uncas geneology,in which he mentions that Maugauwanmet has married only remaining royal blood of long Island.

Family links:

Spouse:

  Wuch-i-ki-tau-but (1575 - 1660)*

Children:

 Quashawam (____ - 1658)*

  Weincombone (1598 - 1663)*

  Catoneras (1603 - 1659)*

*Point here for explanation

Burial: Montauk Indian Burial Ground Montauk Suffolk County New York, USA

Created by: nelson carey Record added: Jan 16, 2009 Find A Grave Memorial# 32959012

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Long Knife per Montauckett Nation Historian. https://www.mptn-nsn.gov/government.aspx

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The parents of Rebecca Bell who married Francis Bell of Stamford are not known.

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Under the government of Wyandanch,if not previously,this tribe acquired by their martial virtues andthe skill of their chieftain,a powerful ascendency over the other tribes of the Island,who by tribute,deference,or otherwise,acknowledged their superiority.At this time they appear to have been numerous."In the year 1658 Wyandanch,sachem of Montaukett,Plaintiff,prosecuted Jeremy Daily,Defendant,for an injury done to his"great cannow."The case was tried by the"three men,and the Jury in the cause rendered a verdict of ten shillings as damages for the plaintiff.(history of east Hampton,New York,p-54)WYANDANK'S DEED TO LION GARDINER,OF SMITHTOWN. East Hampton,july 14,1659 Bee it Knowne unto all men,both English and Indians especially the Inhabitants of Long Island that I Wyandance Sachem of Pamanack,with my wife and sonn Wiankanbonem,my only sonn and heir,havinge delyberately considered how this twentie-four years wee have bene not only acquaited with Lion Gardiner,but from time to time have recived much kindnes of him and from him,not onely by counsell and advice in our prosperitie,but in our great extremytie,when wee were almost swallowed upp of our enemies,then wee say he apeared to us not only as a friend,but as a father,in givinge us his monie and goods, whereby wee defended ourselves,and ransomed my daughter and friends, and weesay and know that by his manes we had great comfort and reliefe from the most honorable of the English nation here about us: soe that seigne wee yet live,and both of us being now ould,and not that wee at any time have given him anythige to gratifie his fatherly love,care and charge,we havinge noting left that is worth his acceptance but asmall tract of land which wee desire him to Accept of for himself,his heirs,executors and assignes forever,now that it may be knowne how and where that land beinge Cowharbor,easterly Arhata a munt,and southerly ercrosse the Island to the end of the great hollow or valley,or more than helf through the Island southerly;and that this gaft is our free act and deede:sealed and delivered in the presence of Witnes:Richard Smith,Thomas Chatfield,Thomas Tallmmage,Wayandance his(88)mark,Wiankombone his(M)mark,The Sachems Wife her(Swq)mark The original deed is in the possession of the Long Island Historical Society,Brooklyn,NY.see Woods history,L.I.p-198 The children are 1).Weincombone(b.1640-d.1663) 2).Catoneras(b.1603-m.Cornelius Jensen van Texel 1624 NY.)3).Also Wyandanch & Wuch-I-kit-tau-but had a daughter Quashawam she married the Pequot Sachem Mau-gau-wan-met see Uncas geneology,in which he mentions that Maugauwanmet has married only remaining royal blood of long Island.

References

• https://lihj.cc.stonybrook.edu/2010/articles/in-search-of-catoneras...

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Under the government of Wyandanch,if not previously,this tribe acquired by their martial virtues andthe skill of their chieftain,a powerful ascendency over the other tribes of the Island,who by tribute,deference,or otherwise,acknowledged their superiority.At this time they appear to have been numerous."In the year 1658 Wyandanch,sachem of Montaukett,Plaintiff,prosecuted Jeremy Daily,Defendant,for an injury done to his"great cannow."The case was tried by the"three men,and the Jury in the cause rendered a verdict of ten shillings as damages for the plaintiff.(history of east Hampton,New York,p-54)WYANDANK'S DEED TO LION GARDINER,OF SMITHTOWN. East Hampton,july 14,1659 Bee it Knowne unto all men,both English and Indians especially the Inhabitants of Long Island that I Wyandance Sachem of Pamanack,with my wife and sonn Wiankanbonem,my only sonn and heir,havinge delyberately considered how this twentie-four years wee have bene not only acquaited with Lion Gardiner,but from time to time have recived much kindnes of him and from him,not onely by counsell and advice in our prosperitie,but in our great extremytie,when wee were almost swallowed upp of our enemies,then wee say he apeared to us not only as a friend,but as a father,in givinge us his monie and goods, whereby wee defended ourselves,and ransomed my daughter and friends, and weesay and know that by his manes we had great comfort and reliefe from the most honorable of the English nation here about us: soe that seigne wee yet live,and both of us being now ould,and not that wee at any time have given him anythige to gratifie his fatherly love,care and charge,we havinge noting left that is worth his acceptance but asmall tract of land which wee desire him to Accept of for himself,his heirs,executors and assignes forever,now that it may be knowne how and where that land beinge Cowharbor,easterly Arhata a munt,and southerly ercrosse the Island to the end of the great hollow or valley,or more than helf through the Island southerly;and that this gaft is our free act and deede:sealed and delivered in the presence of Witnes:Richard Smith,Thomas Chatfield,Thomas Tallmmage,Wayandance his(88)mark,Wiankombone his(M)mark,The Sachems Wife her(Swq)mark The original deed is in the possession of the Long Island Historical Society,Brooklyn,NY.see Woods history,L.I.p-198 The children are 1).Weincombone(b.1640-d.1663) 2).Catoneras(b.1603-m.Cornelius Jensen van Texel 1624 NY.)3).Also Wyandanch & Wuch-I-kit-tau-but had a daughter Quashawam she married the Pequot Sachem Mau-gau-wan-met see Uncas geneology,in which he mentions that Maugauwanmet has married only remaining royal blood of long Island.

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